The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-10-07

GsMZUelus Fak7cHiLo. Gen Gray, Thomas
G. Stewart, Pennsylvania; John Thacher,
Connecticut; James E. Stewart, Ohio; Z.
Henry jerks, Rhode Island The annual
address of the commande--in-chief,w which is
very long. was then presented.
The general began by sending greetings to the
a and Cordial reception Of last year He sincerely
congratulated the order that they were per.
nitted to gather in this great metropolis, and
thanked the citizens of st. Louis for their gen.
erous welcome. He was pleased to announce
the evidence Of permanent and healthy growth
OF the Grand Army of the Republic and of the
s.rong love of the order entertained by the loyal
people of this country. That this may continue
he earnestly cautioned every member that he
keep u watchful guard over himself when he
not unconsciousiy further schemes foreign to
the legitimate purposes of the organization.
Article 8. torbidding the use of the organization
for partisan purposes had, so far as he knew,
been strictly oheyed in letter and spirit. From
Adjutant General Gray's report he learned
that the total number Of members borne
enca,npment was 37G.49 The number re-
In Ave years, 46, 1877. The increase Of members
standing, was 1866. IN 1880 there were Co.
ga members. In the FAST five quarters there
have been mustered into the Grand Army 72,-
good good standing 326, 562: suspended, 1920; by
delinquent reports, 10. 1872; total at last returns
borne upon the rolls, 372.G74-an increase in
bers. The amount reported expended in charity
March, 1856, to March. 1887, inclusive Is sos,
e34.43; This money was disbnrsed noo to 1850
%srs sssad ana she5 ayng ssoS
who had received benefits during the year. He
had established tho provisional departments OF
claimed 3.4O8 members. He selected for special
notice, John A. Logan. who in his life had mnn-
Tested his love not only in words but by active
public and private efforts. Did any poor; ,;
the Grand Army need defender, his was the
first name that came to the lips. and he was
appealed to in vain The patent for the
and is now the property of the order. The coun-
Gil of administration has invested $50 900 of the
surplus funds Of the order In bonds OF the United
States.
MEMORIAL DAY
was more generally and appropriately observed
this year than ever before. This day, sacred to
the memory of the fallen defenders. of the re-
public has become most impressive and in
structive national holiday. A letter was re-
ceived by him from Joseph W. Drexel Offering
in perpetuity the cottage on Mount McGregor IN
the survivors Of these gallant men who saved
the country; the only conditions being that the
cottage and surrounding grounds bo held IN
Army of the Republic, the president of the
Mount McGregor Railway company and another
to be named by the donor. Gen Fairchild
commander chief with authority to accep,
on satisfactory arrangcments. In September
last, when tho citizens Of Charleston. s. g..
were suffering from the effects of q terrible
earthquake, the Grand Army joined IN the re-
liei. He, in company with Adjt. Gen. Gray
vent to the stricken city and called upon the
were rapidly made, and $7,Ol7 WAS reported tc
national headquarters. 1t was understood that
there was no immediate haste, and before the
collections had gotten fairly under way the
mayor of Charleston telegraphed headquarters
that no further relief would be required. Hat
the needs Of Charleston required it he fell
raised within another month. Many posts hat
simultaneously received the call for ait
and the order TO suspend operations. He rec
commended the appointment at oHce of compe
tent comrade to write history of the organiza
tion. and suggested that the general government
will include in the next decennial census al
the rebellion who may be living in 1890. Beliey
ing that the practice OF moving the national head
quarters to the place where the commander-in
chietresdes is becoming impracticable. owing t.
accumulation Of the property Of the order, n
recommends that the national headquarters b.
located at some centra! point, and that an as
sistant adjutant general be pul In charge.
IN THE MATTER OF PENSIONS
it has been an aim of the order to have congress!
grant relief of the pressing needs OF The com
rades. The government has responded in man,
instances. Influence has heeT brought to bea
on state legislation, aud state soldiers and. on
phan homes and laws for temporary relief OF in
passed. For this work more than any other ha
the Grand Army of the Republic llveu-thl
more than all else has ennobled its life--for thi
purpose the Grand Army will in the future civ
its earnest endeavors and by reason Of its per
sistent endeavors 1t will be remembered. TIL
Grand Army, with The approval OF the people i
general have enlisted In this cause. Men of al
shades of political belief have been foremost u
these efforts. and never until this year has 1t OIL
| tered the mind Of any well informed man t
charge that this zeal in behalf of our needy com
| rades WAS OF q political partisan character. TIL
! Grand Army Of the Republic will never consen
among those which men commonly call partisan
| II has been for lnanv years discussed by post
| department and national eneampmelts Reso
| luttons and addresses have beoa aaopte
coneress. ] Tbe efforts Of tho @ newspapers @ OF tn
country have beon enlisted and with a few ex
ceptions they have heretofore been in full acoor
with the order. There has been no change 0
! opinion or change OF method In the ranks of tn
| Grand Army members. They have been OF or
| mind in considering, it but simple Justice ths
| tho United States shoAid at least grant pen!
sons who served three months or more in tn
| military ordnance service of the United State
| during the war OF tho rebellion and who hay
been honorsbly disohalged and who ar
T! physical disability, not the result 0
sshair own vicious habits, which incapactate
them for tine performance OF manual labor. Thi
| has been publicly advocated. and all men VIII
tion, and yet until recently thero las heon hear
no objection to such measures. Because other
| have changed their minds, the Grand Army nee
| not therefore change theirs. The puth ia thi
verged neither TO the right nor to the left. Be
| cause the comrades need help tho GRAM
Army will draY closer and closer to them
| They shall not be the inmates of the commo